MCT and WWE? Please talk to me...

[momsuz123]

about their differences, similarities? Right now we are using WWE, but going slow. I am interested in MCT, but don't know much about it. WWE seems like it is good, we just haven't dove into very far because I was trying to do my girls together, and am kind of waiting for my younger one to "catch up" some.

[nikkid]

Very different programs. As you know, WWE does not expect creative writing or paragraph writing until later. It's all about helping the child form ideas of what to write and helping them through the process of getting them on paper.

 

MCT is a total package of grammar, writing, poetry, and vocabulary. The writer says it's written to start with 3rd-4th graders. There are some expectations of being able to write basic stories in the writing assignments for Sentence Island, such as something like 'write a story about two characters talking to each other where one only says subjects and the other always interrupts with the predicates.' Sometimes we do these assignments together on a white board; sometimes she just writes them herself, but I don't expect good handwriting or perfect grammar yet. We have loved the story told in Sentence Island showing how the parts of the sentence work together. It's made a lot of sense for me too.

 

We do both programs because I like the foundation in WWE of helping students keep thoughts in their mind long enough to write them down, and I do expect best handwriting and grammar in these assignments. But we do MCT also since my dd started hating FLL and needed something that moved faster with more discussion. I'll admit the poetry and vocab books don't get much attention right now since most days we have to focus on the basics, but we love what we've done so far. My dd was so excited when she wrote her first poem. Originally she thought poetry would be dumb and didn't want to listen, but the further we got into Music of the Hemisphere the more light bulb went on for her and she saw the beauty of choosing words. She refers to poem structure even in music now!

 

This whole series seems to me to treat students with respect--that they are able to learn things that seem grown up. It's helped my dd feel enriched. Since I was able to get a used copy of teacher's manuals, we've been able to do the program for about half the cost, and that is worth it to me.

[momsuz123]

Very different programs. As you know, WWE does not expect creative writing or paragraph writing until later. It's all about helping the child form ideas of what to write and helping them through the process of getting them on paper.

 

MCT is a total package of grammar, writing, poetry, and vocabulary. The writer says it's written to start with 3rd-4th graders. There are some expectations of being able to write basic stories in the writing assignments for Sentence Island, such as something like 'write a story about two characters talking to each other where one only says subjects and the other always interrupts with the predicates.' Sometimes we do these assignments together on a white board; sometimes she just writes them herself, but I don't expect good handwriting or perfect grammar yet. We have loved the story told in Sentence Island showing how the parts of the sentence work together. It's made a lot of sense for me too.

 

We do both programs because I like the foundation in WWE of helping students keep thoughts in their mind long enough to write them down, and I do expect best handwriting and grammar in these assignments. But we do MCT also since my dd started hating FLL and needed something that moved faster with more discussion. I'll admit the poetry and vocab books don't get much attention right now since most days we have to focus on the basics, but we love what we've done so far. My dd was so excited when she wrote her first poem. Originally she thought poetry would be dumb and didn't want to listen, but the further we got into Music of the Hemisphere the more light bulb went on for her and she saw the beauty of choosing words. She refers to poem structure even in music now!

 

This whole series seems to me to treat students with respect--that they are able to learn things that seem grown up. It's helped my dd feel enriched. Since I was able to get a used copy of teacher's manuals, we've been able to do the program for about half the cost, and that is worth it to me.

 

Thanks for the explanation. So, MCT is more along the lines of FLL, but much more. Is that right? It sounds really interesting.

[SunnyDays]

Yes, much more! It has a grammar book that is the starting point, but they reinforce grammar all the way through. There is also a vocabulary book and poetry book, both are great enrichment tools. A sentence book that talks more about grammar, and more. And a practice book that combines all that has been taught... parts of speech, phrases and clauses, subjects and predicates. So it's grammar plus!!

 

What I describe above is the first (Island) level and I believe the second level follows the same pattern. Not sure what the upper levels are like. HTH. :)

[nikkid]

Thanks for the explanation. So, MCT is more along the lines of FLL, but much more. Is that right? It sounds really interesting.

 

Well, MCT does not do dictation or memorization like FLL does, but MCT Grammar Island does cover grammar in depth like FLL...I mean it covers all parts of speech, parts of the sentence, prepositional phrases, and clauses. But it does not have the repetition that FLL has. It does sort of assumes that once the child has read and discussed it once that you can move on. You continue to review through new discussions where you add on what you already did, but the student still sort of has to remember what was discussed before to catch on to the next thing.

 

Also, FLL is a lot more hand-holding for both the student and the teacher with step-by-step instructions. MCT is much more go-with-the-flow and let the teacher and student decide how best to implement or discuss. It takes some teacher prep for me, reviewing things like direct objects and indirect objects so I know how to lead the discussions. Otherwise my strong-willed dd catches on that I'm not real clear on things and either tunes out or takes over. But it's been worth it to me because I feel like we're learning real things that matter and make sense.

[boscopup]

I plan to use MCT Island next year for 3rd grade, and we'll also use WWE3 with it. From everything I've read on MCT threads here, the two are complementary. There really is no overlap in what is being taught in writing. There is also not much writing in the Island level.

 

You said you were waiting for your younger DD to catch up with the older one for WWE? They are 6 and 8, correct? I would just teach them at separate levels, personally. My kids are all 2.5 years apart, and I'll be teaching each one at their level. My middle one will start WWE while the older one is in WWE3 or 4 (probably 4... middle one could handle the copywork at 6, but the narration portion may take longer, since he has trouble answering questions). My youngest will start WWE1 when middle one is in WWE2 or 3 (depending on how middle one has done with the program :tongue_smilie:). By that point, oldest will be in WWS.

 

If an older child is ready for something, I wouldn't hold her back for a younger child to catch up. If they're not at the same level, you're just going to need to teach to their individual levels. Writing is not a subject I would expect to combine a 6 and 8 year old. I would combine history and science, but not skill subjects like writing and math (unless the two are truly on the same level in those subjects and going the same pace).

[momsuz123]

I plan to use MCT Island next year for 3rd grade, and we'll also use WWE3 with it. From everything I've read on MCT threads here, the two are complementary. There really is no overlap in what is being taught in writing. There is also not much writing in the Island level.

 

You said you were waiting for your younger DD to catch up with the older one for WWE? They are 6 and 8, correct? I would just teach them at separate levels, personally. My kids are all 2.5 years apart, and I'll be teaching each one at their level. My middle one will start WWE while the older one is in WWE3 or 4 (probably 4... middle one could handle the copywork at 6, but the narration portion may take longer, since he has trouble answering questions). My youngest will start WWE1 when middle one is in WWE2 or 3 (depending on how middle one has done with the program :tongue_smilie:). By that point, oldest will be in WWS.

 

If an older child is ready for something, I wouldn't hold her back for a younger child to catch up. If they're not at the same level, you're just going to need to teach to their individual levels. Writing is not a subject I would expect to combine a 6 and 8 year old. I would combine history and science, but not skill subjects like writing and math (unless the two are truly on the same level in those subjects and going the same pace).

 

Thanks so much for this insight. I have been thinking this for some time now. My older one is one of those kids that just needs to go and run with it. She picks up things very easy (I think you have one like that, if I remember reading correctly from your threads). Whereas, my younger one does need more hand holding, and those darn eyes of hers, copywork just brings her to tears. So yes, I need to let my older one get going and run with it. I have been doing some Writing Tales with her, which she likes, but we need to get back to WWE. Thanks again.